The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1887-04-28
Random Thoughts.
J. H. NJ.

During a service Of a generation al
a member Of the Republican party,
have seen many changes, and variety
of experiences. Some of these have
been wonderful, some almost unac'
countable. Yet the general drift o1
the grand old party has been good
admirable. A party that could steI
out boldly before the country and
smite the monster of slavery, at a
time when the monster was holding
with determined clutch upon the
very heart Of the social system, and
when the taint of the curse was to be
observed in almost every community
in the land, certainly seemed to be a
party of sufficient courage to grapple
any great question that might arise.
affecting the welfare of the people.
Foriits boldness, for its magnificent
bravery, the party was admired of all
men-even the bitterest foes admiring
the courageous manner in which the
party went forward in its work.
My earliest impressions Of political
Righteousness, to use such a term,
were formed and strengthened in con-
templating the work Of this great
party. Those early impressions have
never left me, for single moment. I
was always Republican from princi-
pie, and no amount Of argument, and
no manner Of inducement, has ever
been able to change the tenor of my
political faith and action. Men have
been, and are, Republicans from vari-
Gus reasons-some for expediency and
popularity, some through greed for
Office, some for money, and some for
the sake Of principle, and because the
old party is right. L am proud of the
fact that I belong to the latter class,
never having sought an ofices>and
never having asked a political favor.
It is from such a standpoint as this
that 1 have served the Republican
party.
During all these years there have
been some exhibitions Of the frailties
of human character that have been
somewhat ludicrous. It has been no
uncommon sight to see man, full of
craftsmanship and political wisdom,
sitting anxiously upon the political
fence, watching the sprouting vegeta-
ton of the political fields, and at
tempting to discern or determine
which side gave best promise of a
rapid growth, that they might hastily
climb down upon that side and claim
possession of the entire crop. Owing
to this fighty and unthoughted de-
sertion of the party by many of its
noisiest members, [ have sometimes
felt twinge Of loneliness, lest the
disruption Of the party by crafty and
mercenary members might result.
But [ have always had the satisfac-
tiop thus far, Of seeing the erring
members of the party come slipping
back, with shame depicted upon their
faces, and hastily scramble over the
fence into the Republican fold again.
The funny part Of the experiences,
however, is that before jumping the
fence and running away from the
party, every man so doing takes the
pains to label himself Republican
None Genuine Except Blown in the
Bottle"
After all these experiences, l am
not disposed to criticise. In fact, l
do not believe in putting up the bars
on such Republicans as have jumped
the track through excessive zeal, or
through lack of judgment. I have
stood, and am still standing on the
old Republican ship, and if any of
those who have in an unthoughtful
moment, or through genuine ignor-
ance, deserted the vessel, want to
come on board again, l am disposed
to cast them line and help them in.
We have mighty good crowd, nearly
all strong temperance people, and
people Of upright lives. We have
everything to risk, and nothing to
gain, by taking in deserters, but are
willing to take the risk. 1f any of
the Republicans have wandered away
after the Third Party, | am willing
that they shall come back, even with
out probation. If those who, in the
recent election became frightened at
the Holy Ghost, and jumped clean
over into the Democratic camp, want
to come back, [ am perfectly willing
to let down the bars and say ''come
in, erring brethren, sin no more" In
fact, | have seen enough changes and
conflicts in the Republican party, and
long to see the old ld-fashioned, harmo-
nious action that dares to grasp any
great question, and solve every intri-
cate political problem. | am willing,
and every good Republican is willing.
that every straggler shall come in
and assist in pushing forward to a
grand victory, Of the old-fashioned
kind.